Dáil debates
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Ceisteanna — Questions (Resumed)
Agreements with Members.
4:00 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement between the Government and Deputy Jackie Healy-Rae; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16823/07]
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement between the Government and Deputy Michael Lowry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16824/07]
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement between the Government and Deputy Finian McGrath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16825/07]
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 4: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the agreement between the Government and Deputy Beverley Flynn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16826/07]
James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach if the cost of deals with Independent Deputies valued at hundreds of millions of euro will be reimbursed to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17107/07]
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach if he or his Department have quantified the expected cost of meeting the requirements of individual Members of the Oireachtas in return for support for the Government of the Thirtieth Dáil; if a supplementary budget is planned to meet such costs or if costs are expected to be met from other sources or curtailments in the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17249/07]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the role played by officials of his Department in regard to costing of agreements entered into with certain individual Deputies in the Houses of the Oireachtas in return for their political support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17475/07]
Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach if he will put on the record of the Dáil the agreement made between the Government and various Independent Deputies to secure their support for the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17517/07]
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach if he will place in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas all copies of agreements he has concluded with individual Members of Dáil Éireann, arising from his election as Taoiseach; if costings have been done for such agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20161/07]
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 10: To ask the Taoiseach the procedures in place within his Department for providing special assistance to certain Members of Dáil Éireann; the Members to whom this assistance is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20162/07]
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Taoiseach the arrangements in place in his office for providing special assistance to certain Independent Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16827/07]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 12: To ask the Taoiseach the nature of the assistance to be given by his Department to Independent Deputies with whom he has concluded agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16862/07]
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together.
These are political agreements that I have entered into as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies. The agreements are confidential, but I am happy to confirm to the House that they are, as always, based on the programme for Government, which incorporates the national development plan, approved Government programmes and annual Estimates for capital and current expenditure. As Deputies will be aware, such arrangements have existed over the past ten years and in all instances I have used my best endeavours to deliver them.
In terms of the assistance given to Independent Deputies, as has been the practice over ten years, a staff member in my office assists the Government Chief Whip's office in its work in liaising with these Deputies. This official meets them on a regular basis and arranges to keep them briefed on issues as they arise. I confirm that there is no additional cost to the taxpayer in dealing with these Deputies. The official dealing with the Deputies is an assistant principal and he assists the Chief Whip in this matter. In seeking to be as helpful as possible to the priorities and issues of concern to the Deputies, this is managed within the expenditure on programmes within the programme for Government and the national development plan and will be within the parameters of planned expenditure within departmental Estimates.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There are four questions about the nature of the agreement made between the Government and four Independent Deputies, but the Taoiseach has not referred to the nature of that agreement or explained what those agreements mean.
From July 2003, the code of conduct makes it clear that office holders are accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas and in so far as is possible they are compelled to give accurate and truthful information when accounting to the House. It is clear therefore that office holders should be judicious in the use of public resources and facilities and that these should be used in a way that provides the public with value for money. The code also makes certain stipulations for representations made and received by office holders. These are aimed at ensuring responses sought or given to representations are in keeping with responses that would be given to the Houses of the Oireachtas generally. This is to prevent preferential treatment.
Does the Taoiseach agree that the persistent refusal to detail the nature of the agreements reached with Independent Members is inconsistent with the requirements of the code of conduct of office holders as published in July 2003? In the context of the arrangements which involve or are likely to involve the expenditure of public funds, is there a justification to claim that they are exempt from review because they are political agreements? In other words, if the Taoiseach has decided to give Deputy X a guarantee of some infrastructure in a constituency, can he claim that is a political agreement and therefore not subject to review of the national spatial strategy or whatever? At best, these could be described as political agreements designed to involve the expenditure of public moneys in a particular way and, as such, they should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
I saw the bottom of a list from one of these Deputies on television. I do not have a clue what is in the agreement, nor, I suppose, does anyone else. In terms of the code of conduct published by the Government for office holders, is it not inconsistent to have secrecy about arrangements made between the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, and Independent Deputies?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In this Dáil, which started a number of months ago, as in the last two Dála and previous Dála, this is the procedure followed. In this Dáil, apart from the parties in Government, Fianna Fáil, the Progressive Democrats and the Green Party, the Government appreciates and acknowledges the support it receives from Deputies Finian McGrath, Michael Lowry and Jackie Healy-Rae. We appreciate that before a Government was formed, we discussed the relevant issues of priority to these Deputies. Those issues, many of which are in the public domain, concern nothing other than what people would be seeking in the national development plan, the programme for Government and departmental Estimates issues such as Transport 21. They relate to stated Government policy therefore. The commitments and interests the Deputies have, which are all constituency initiatives or, if not, may concern the overall health service, are in line with providing extra teachers, extra funding for primary and secondary education, additional beds and additional health services. In some cases they are seeking priority areas within their constituencies so that consideration would be given to particular projects in those areas. There is nothing secretive or unusual. In line with their own issues, some Deputies have priorities concerning disabilities, county roads, enterprise and creating employment. All those issues are reflected in the programme for Government and the expenditure programmes. There is nothing outside of these. In supporting the Government, the Deputies hope they will be able to get some degree of priority for those issues. As I have done for ten years and will for the next five, I will do my utmost to deliver on those issues for Deputies who support the Government. In raising these issues Deputies are not ignoring the reality of departmental budgets, national plans and other issues. They are all documented issues that fall within those programmes. Some Deputies have made the issues public knowledge and I have mentioned more of them here. It is right and proper, however, for the Government to try to deliver on some of those matters and for Deputies to seek their implementation.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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While the Taoiseach appreciates the support of three Independent Deputies, is he saying the agreements worked out with them do not mean that anything extra will be delivered to their constituencies that would not normally have happened because of the programme for Government? Will he confirm that is what he means by saying that all the things they have discussed are issues already contained in the programme for Government that are relevant to their constituencies? If what the Taoiseach is saying is true, these agreements are worthless in that they would occur in any event. This is despite the fact that a Deputy might say he has acquired major expenditure for his constituency, while another says the implications of the agreement he worked out were both national and international.
I wish to pose a further question concerning another Independent Deputy who happens to be from my constituency. For some peculiar reason, the weekend before a major court case, the Taoiseach chose to make an extraordinary comment that the Deputy in question — good luck to her — might well be in a position to be appointed as a Minister of State in the lifetime of his Administration. I accept it is for the Taoiseach to make that comment, but does he not consider that sent out a signal to the national broadcaster, going into a court case the following weekend, that it should take cognisance of what the Taoiseach said about a person who is an Independent Member of the House? Does the Taoiseach not see the implication of that?
On 15 June, Deputy Flynn said:
I am absolutely delighted with what I have secured for Mayo. Bertie Ahern has verbally agreed a very generous package for the county and I will be supporting him for the vote for Taoiseach this afternoon. I do not have a signed agreement. I did not seek one. I fully accept the word of the Taoiseach. I do not need to be waving about a piece of paper.
On 26 June, the Taoiseach said——
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I remind Deputy Kenny that under Standing Orders quotations are not allowed during question time.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sure the Deputy is well aware of that.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As the Ceann Comhairle reminded me when he was Minister for Justice and zero tolerance, accuracy is critical to fact.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Whatever about history, we are here in the present and Deputies cannot cite quotations during question time. It is not allowed.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I might not be as good as Mr. Cameron, but I can memorise a short statement like that.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy may summarise it.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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On 26 June, the Taoiseach said he had entered into no agreement with the said Deputy. Who is telling the truth? Is the Deputy telling the truth or must I take it that the Taoiseach's words on the record of the House are clear, factual and truthful? From that point of view, will the Taoiseach confirm that the agreements he has worked out are already part of the programme for Government and would happen in any event? Will he comment on his extraordinary statement before a major court case, which was out of all our hands? Will he confirm whether or not there is an agreement with the Deputy? She said in public that there is. The Taoiseach said on the record of the House that there is not. If there is an agreement, issues of import arising recently in that constituency might well be considered.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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The Deputy is only jealous.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will deal with the Deputy's questions separately. It is not a question that agreements one makes, either political agreements between parties or in this case we are talking about agreements with Independents, are meaningless. I have been doing this for the last ten years. Independent Deputies may emphasise their national or international priorities. Deputy Finian McGrath, who is present in the House, had a particular issue whereby he wanted to ensure the mandate for Shannon——
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Will it be there for him?
Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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He will not be disappointed now.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach without interruption.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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——and people landing on international flights from the United States or other countries would be based on a UN mandate.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Fair play to the Taoiseach.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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That is the case already.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, but the Deputy knows how many arguments there have been about that.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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That was giving him nothing.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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If the Deputy wants to say that——
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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It was giving him nothing.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy sold himself short.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have these continuous interruptions while the Taoiseach is making his contribution. Every contributor must get the same level of courtesy.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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They are only jealous.
Terence FlanaganJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The same courtesy must be extended to the Taoiseach as he extends to other party leaders.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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At least two of the Deputies had the Disability Act as a priority and we are spending €900 million on the Disability Authority. They want to see that happen for national programmes, not just for their own constituencies. They also want to see the education programme providing additional teachers and dealing with forms of autism.
Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Hear, hear.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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These issues are being put forward by the Deputies and the Government takes account of their views to try to prioritise some of the issues. In the case of Deputy Healy-Rae, he said on the record of the House that within the national development plan and Transport 21 he wanted to prioritise some road projects.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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We must take cognisance of some of these issues. Therefore it is not in any way useless or meaningless. It gives them an opportunity to highlight some of these issues. I would like to think that every single aspect of the national development plan, the programme for Government or Transport 21 would be fulfilled but realistically it is not always easy to get every single thing done. The Deputies have their say in prioritising them. It is a democracy and there is nothing wrong with Deputies doing that. They provide a useful service to their constituents by trying to do so.
I had no written agreement with Deputy Flynn. In my discussions with her prior to the formation of the Government, I had outlined to her the procedures that we would be following in the programme for Government, which was still under negotiation at that stage, and the national development plan, the spatial strategy and Transport 21. Her comments were based on that. I did not draw up, nor did she ask for, any individual items for her constituency. She was interested in the broad position. The national broadcaster asked me a question and I answered it. The Deputy may feel I should not have answered it. I usually try to answer its questions to the best of my ability, as I do the Deputy's questions. That is all I did.
Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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That is a change.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that I have never had, and am unlikely ever to have, any influence over the national broadcaster which would probably not publish something positive about me but will publish something negative. I have very little influence over it. What I would have said the week before a court case would have had no relevance. I did not know that the case was coming on. What was happening in the courts was not high in my priorities the following week when I was trying to form the programme for Government. The director general made it clear that he and his legal team took no account of that whatever. Their decision was made before that, to judge by what he said subsequently.
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I accept the Taoiseach's word that he has made no deal with Deputy Flynn apart from comments about the national spatial strategy and the national development plan including Transport 21. References to deals about the protection of cancer facilities and so on were not part of those discussions.
I do not suggest that the Taoiseach was in a position to exert pressure on the national broadcaster but that when the Taoiseach speaks on an issue the weekend before a major court case, people, like the agencies taking cognisance of Government policy, would surely take note of what he says. I am happy to note that the arrangements, or agreements as they have been called and touted by several Independent Deputies, are merely reflections of what is contained in the national development plan and that there is nothing outrageously special about them just because they offer support when they vote on occasions. I thank the Taoiseach for that confirmation. I accept his word in the House, speaking as Taoiseach on this matter.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Deputy Finian McGrath is still hovering around the perimeter of the House. Is there a documented agreement with Deputy Finian McGrath which he has signed, an exchange of correspondence or a written record of whatever he claims he agreed with the Taoiseach in return for his continuing and loyal support for the Government?
Will the Taoiseach tell us whether he has agreed anything with Deputy Finian McGrath that is not already in the programme for Government or the national development plan?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate that Deputy Kenny accepts what I say is the position. In all her discussions Deputy Flynn was more interested in the programme for Government which includes cancer strategies and such issues. She was concerned for the west of Ireland but also wanted to see that there would be proper resources and allocations made to the broad areas of health and education. She did not get into individual issues.
A programme for Government covers all areas and the national development plan is an enormous programme involving €181 billion over its life, including Transport 21 and other programmes. Deputies have sought to prioritise issues that are important to them in the discussions. There are written agreements with Deputy Finian McGrath and the other Deputies. This is not a claim. There are agreements based on negotiations with me about their national and local priorities. They want to achieve those priorities and I and my colleagues will try faithfully to assist in achieving them. I have done this for the past ten years.
The agreements are made in good faith on important national and local issues. Deputy Finian McGrath's priorities, which he has advocated in this House, are in education, health, disability and local community-based issues important to his constituency, Dublin North Central. I feel honour bound to do my best to complete these issues, in return for support. The issues fall within the broad programme for Government and specified programmes.
It is entirely proper that a Deputy work to advocate achievement on these issues. They are not extraordinary issues but they are important whether national, local or international. A Deputy is entitled to advocate them and a Government is entitled to try to implement them and assist in their implementation over time.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Every Deputy is entitled to seek to advance whatever issue or agenda he or she has, and Government is entitled to agree or disagree to pursue that. We are, however, dealing with something more than just in the nature of a political agreement. The Taoiseach has defended keeping this agreement secret on the grounds that it constituted a political understanding between him and Deputy Finian McGrath, and other Independent Deputies. It is clear from what he has said that these agreements relate to national and international issues and matters to public expenditure. While he is perfectly entitled to reach whatever agreement he wishes with Deputies on those matters, we are entitled to ask what is in the agreements. This is not just a matter of politics but of public expenditure, the use of the people's money and what the Taoiseach describes as priorities. If, for example, one Deputy gets some kind of favoured treatment for his or her constituency other Members are entitled to know what that is. I submit that the Taoiseach is obliged to put on record what he has agreed with the Independent Deputies. The documents relating to those agreements should be on the public record.
This is not a matter of political interplay but of the management of the people's money. Is there anything that the Taoiseach has agreed with Deputy Finian McGrath or other Independent Deputies not already documented in the programme for Government or in the national development plan? We are entitled to know that. Will the Taoiseach tell us what it is? He is dancing around in secrecy but there is no great secrecy about these things, we should know what they are.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no secrecy about these issues. The Deputies by and large have published and spoken about them. The House votes on public expenditure under the departmental Votes whenever anything is done about these issues. The Deputies have raised national issues that are in the programme for Government such as the number of beds to be opened, the number of acute beds and other hospital issues, education issues, disability and autism issues, all of which are in the public interest and to which probably every Deputy subscribes. There is nothing exceptional about that other than that the Deputies want to see progress on these issues nationally, with a knock-on effect in their own constituencies. None of these understandings is horrendously long. They specify local issues such as communities and roads. There is no great secret about them. Some of the Deputies mentioned these roads, which are already in local authority plans, which they want to see progressed in the next few years. None of these issues is outside this. I meant to say there is a total of €180 billion in the national development plan to cover these issues in future years.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Taoiseach agree that the fine aspirations he attributed to the Independent Deputies apply to all Members, including those of his own party? He stated he has entered into a political agreement. What does that entail? Does it mean that those five Members get a larger slice of the national cake? I am sure the Ceann Comhairle would like to know if potholes were to become an endangered species in south Kerry, or if the Luas was to appear there. Do these agreements mean that a special allocation is being made to deal with the requirements of the individual Deputies?
Notwithstanding their high aspirations in the local and national interest, the Taoiseach knows that politicians want to know what is in it for them and for their immediate constituents. Can the Taoiseach explain what these agreements mean for those individual Deputies? How does that affect other Members, including those from the Government parties? Do they get less while the special few get more? I was studying Deputy Finian McGrath's face when the Taoiseach was speaking. He looked perplexed and as worried as a manager whose football team was about to be relegated. Is there more to these agreements than the Taoiseach has already told the House?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Everybody gains from every improvement. When the Deputy is on his holidays in south Kerry next August, the benefits of the improved roads, thanks to the Ceann Comhairle over the last ten years and with the assistance of Deputy Healy-Rae——
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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He is worried about the special arrangement.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ceann Comhairle is also responsible for the wall in south Kerry.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I find that the road from Kenmare to Kilgarvan improves every year, which is hugely beneficial. The representations of the former Minister——
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Taoiseach think the Luas will go there?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no proposal for the Luas to go to Kilgarvan.
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We are re-assured. The Ceann Comhairle is safe.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is nice to know we are on the one road.
P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I invite the Taoiseach to go through the tunnel and see south-west Cork.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Following the general election, Deputy Healy-Rae stated he had an agreement which he described as "private and personal".
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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And then he went on for half an hour.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Taoiseach agree that any agreement involving public administration or the expenditure of public money can not be described as private or personal? If the Taoiseach has an agreement with the Independent Deputies, does he accept he has a duty to place copies of such an agreement in the Oireachtas Library? There is a strong belief in this Chamber, and not for any idle reasons, that the fact Deputy Healy-Rae has been appointed Chairman of an Oireachtas committee is another element in an agreement that he reached with the Taoiseach, which he describes as private and personal. Was there an understanding or agreement between the Deputy and the Taoiseach that he would be appointed as the Chair of a committee?
The Taoiseach has been careful in his references to costs. He stated there will be no additional cost to the taxpayer in dealing with these Deputies. However, I believe that there is a cost which probably entails the movement of funding from one area to another. This can be to fast-track particular projects, or to ensure funding is available for specific undertakings and other areas, therefore, suffer as a consequence. If there is no additional cost to the taxpayer, can the Taoiseach assure the House there is no movement of funding from one area to another in order to accommodate the specific demands by these Deputies? As a result of the concerns expressed here, does he accept this issue requires absolute transparency? Does he agree it is unfair on the poor Ceann Comhairle that a Deputy in his constituency will claim responsibility for the delivery of every positive project and development taking place there?
We need to know the truth. It should be exposed and it is the responsibility of the Taoiseach to do so.
John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Your concern is touching, but you must leave the Ceann Comhairle out of this.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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You are welcome to it nonetheless.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy knows that I always do my best to honour agreements made. He knows more than most that I try to honour deals that I have made over the years. I have not made them all public or transparent and some of them were made in my capacity as Taoiseach. His party would know that very well.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I again invite the Taoiseach to come clean.
Arthur MorganBertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I will not rise to that imputation. These issues are covered by the programme for Government. They incorporate the national development plan, Transport 21, the annual Estimates and expenditure. Perhaps at times lobbying by Deputies from any side of the House, whether or not they are Government Deputies, changes the balance of where something goes, but that happens all the time. Some school gets more priority than another, which is what Deputies do here all the time. They ring the Department of Education and Science and they lobby the Department and the Minister. Long may it last, because that is what democracy is all about. I cannot see anything wrong with it. The Deputy himself supports the Government sometimes and it works to his advantage.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach has again carefully avoided answering the question about Deputy Healy-Rae's Chair of an Oireachtas committee. Was there an understanding between the Deputy and the Taoiseach, or anybody acting on his behalf, that gave him to understand he would have the Chair of an Oireachtas committee as part of the arrangement for his support?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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No. Deputy Healy-Rae was Chairman previously.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We know that. That is why we are puzzled.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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He certainly was anxious to get back in some capacity. We spread the Chairs fairly around.
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach has still not answered the question. Was there an agreement?
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Was there an understanding?
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This has been a useful exchange because Members are beginning to discern what the Taoiseach has agreed with the Independent Members. In the case of Deputy Beverly Flynn, it is clear that her return to Fianna Fáil was agreed. In the case of Deputy Lowry, the agreement involved some form of political rehabilitation. As for Deputy Healy-Rae, he has been around for a long time and I am sure that whatever is contained in his personal and private agreement is of some substance.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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However, it bothers me that the Taoiseach appears to have taken Deputy Finian McGrath for a ride. He does not appear to have got anything of substance in the distribution of largesse last week.
Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps he was given a roundabout in Artane.
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Today, the Taoiseach has told Members that he has not received anything that was not already contained in the programme for Government or the national development plan. In such circumstances, the enthusiasm with which he supports the Government is——
Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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—— difficult to understand.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I greatly appreciate the support the Government receives from Independent Deputies. The Government will work with them as best it can to deliver its programme for Government, which incorporates many of the issues of interest to them. Like the other Deputies who support the Government, Deputy McGrath has indicated clearly to it — and I have agreed with him- the issues on which we are trying to achieve progress. In fairness, Deputy McGrath, is a strong advocate in the field of disabilities. His most pressing issue concerns the support of issues regarding disabilities and autism. Rather than concentrating on individual issues, he wishes to see development on an agenda in which he strongly believes. This does not simply pertain to his constituency because most of the schemes in question are national in scope.